|  Life, growth, renewal...who doesn't need that! With the tropical warm temperatures and the summer rains (and it sounds like we're in for a lot this week) a lot of life, growth and renewal is happening as we look around at our lawns and plants soaking it all in and almost growing before our eyes. So, it is with us. We need those times of life, growth and renewal, in body, mind and spirit. That's the season of the church year we have entered. In worship we hear that Word which waters and renews us, but which also prunes and shapes us. And we receive God in that meal at His table, which feeds us and strengthens us to live as God's people. Yes, this is a special time of the year. And with our summer worship schedule with just our 6pm Saturday service and one service at 9:30am on Sunday it's nice to be gathered together with others whom we might not see from "the other service", and being able to worship and sing together in a full church, and the singing has been awesome!
Speaking of life, growth and renewal, another place that has happened has been in Pastor Clark's Wednesday morning Bible study. For around 8 years, that has been a popular and much loved middle of the week gathering place as this class has been reading through the Bible. This past Wednesday was the last Wednesday before the summer break for this class. But even more importantly, it was Pastor Clark's last Wednesday for leading the class. With age taking it's toll for him and Millie, he felt it was time step aside, as much as he's loved leading the class and the being a part of that group. So, we had a great party following the class with all kinds of good food and conversation, celebrating and giving thanks for his time with us.! The class will resume the first Wednesday in September, September 4, at 10am, and pick up where it left off, with Revelation chapter 4. Many, many thanks to Pastor Clark for his long and faithful service in leading this class, as well as all the home visits he's made over the past years. Well done, good and faithful servant! We look forward to you continuing to be a part of Our Savior, but with less responsibilities. God bless you and Millie! As the summer now begins to unfold, may it be for you a time of Life, Growth and Renewal, whether your here with us in Vero, or traveling or at your summer home. As we end each service during these summer months, wherever you may be: May Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, go before you to guide you, behind you to encourage you, beside you to befriend you, above you to watch over you, and within you to give you peace. See you in church! Pastor Jack + www.oursaviorelca.com Please also consider signing up to be a summer usher by using the link below, you will receive a reminder e-mail as well when you sign up! |
In our Gospel reading yesterday we heard about a man transformed, a man who had a legion of demons and a legion more of torment and who was transformed to a man sitting peacefully at his Savior's feet. It is a dramatic story of salvation and conversion and it fit well to hear it at the close of our week of Day Camp here at the church. We had 90 campers, 10 youth helpers, 10 College Counselors, and a dozen adult volunteers as well. Among that group as in any group of human beings, there was and is of course a legion of struggles and trials, as well as a legion of hopefulness and good. And as a group over the week at Day Camp we experienced the strength and hope that comes from Christ and that is so often found through being together as the body of Christ. 
